Diabetes and nerve damage

Nerve damage that occurs in people with diabetes is called diabetic neuropathy. This condition is a complicaiton of diabetes .

Alternative Names:

Diabetic neuropathy; Diabetes - neuropathy

Causes:

In people with diabetes, the body's nerves can be damaged by decreased blood flow and a high blood sugar level . This condition is more likely when the blood sugar level is not well controlled.

About half of people with diabetes develop nerve damage. Symptoms often do not begin until many years after diabetes has been diagnosed. Some persons who have diabetes that develops slowly already have nerve damage when they are first diagnosed.

Symptoms:

Symptoms often develop slowly over many years. The types of symptoms you have depend on the nerves that are affected.

Nerves in the feet and legs are most often affected. Symptoms usually start in the toes and feet, and include tingling or burning, or deep aching pain. Over time, nerve damage can also occur in the fingers and hands. As the damage gets worse, you will likely lose feeling in your feet and legs. Your skin will also become numb. Because of this, you may:

Not notice when you step on something sharp

Not know that you have a blister or small cut

Not notice when your feet or hands touch something that is too hot or cold

When the nerves that control digestion are affected, you may have trouble digesting food. This can make your diabetes harder to control. Damage to nerves that control digestion almost always occurs in people with severe nerve damage in their feet and legs. Symptoms of digestion problems include:

When you have nerve damage in your feet, the feeling in your feet can be reduced. You can even have no feeling at all. As a result, your feet may not heal well if they are injured. Caring for your feet can prevent minor problems from becoming so serious that you end up in the hospital.

Caring for your feet includes:

Checking your feet every day

Getting a foot exam each time you see your health care provider

Wearing the right kind of socks and shoes (ask your health care provider about this)

Support Groups:

Many resources can help you understand more about diabetes. You can also learn ways to manage your diabetic nerve disease.

Bril V, England J, Franklin GM, et al. Evidence-based guideline: Treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy: report of the American Academy of Neurology, the American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Neurology. 2011;76:1758-1765.